Joint Implant

Abstract

A joint implant adapted for use in joint surgeries. Among other things, the joint implant has an anterior cutting edge and a rotatable cutter supported by a rotatable shaft. When surgical parameters require, the shaft can be detached from the implant. The present implant can include a rotatable shaft that has a conduit and windows.

Claims

1-26. (canceled)

27) A joint implant comprising a biocompatible construction with a longitudinal axis measured in a coexisting or parallel direction of a longest dimension of the biocompatible construction; the biocompatible construction comprising: a) openings outward from the longitudinal axis; b) an anterior side comprising: i) an outward cutting edge; and ii) an inward socket; c) a surgeon facing side, opposite the anterior side, comprising a bearing comprising opposed first and second gaps extending from the bearing and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; d) a rotatable shaft engaging the socket and extending along the longitudinal axis from the socket through the bearing, wherein the rotatable shaft is detachable from the socket and the bearing; and e) first and second arms connected with the rotatable shaft; the first and second arms supporting first and second cutters comprising one or more blades, wherein on rotation of the shaft, the blades are adapted to cut in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

28) The joint implant of claim 27; the biocompatible construction comprising first and second lateral sides connected with the anterior side and the surgeon facing side, wherein the biocompatible construction includes a length greater than a width.

29) The joint implant of claim 28, wherein: a) the rotatable shaft's diameter engaging the socket is less than the shaft's diameter proximate the bearing; and b) the biocompatible construction's anterior side has a lesser cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the surgeon facing side.

30) The joint implant of claim 29 comprising one or more connectors connected to the surgeon facing side, wherein each connector is adapted to engage a device.

31) The joint implant of claim 30, wherein: a) the first and second arms comprise one or more sharp edges adapted to remove cartilage, expose subcortical bone and/or morselize graft material; and b) one or more surfaces of the biocompatible construction comprise surface treatments.

32) A joint implant comprising a biocompatible construction with a longitudinal axis spanning a longest dimension of the biocompatible construction; the biocompatible construction comprising: a) openings outward from the longitudinal axis; b) an anterior side comprising: i) a cutting edge; and ii) an inward socket; c) a surgeon facing side comprising a bearing comprising first and second gaps; the bearing and the gaps creating an ingress/egress pathway extending through surgeon facing side of joint implant; d) a rotatable shaft, extending along or parallel to the longitudinal axis, engaging the socket and the bearing, wherein the rotatable shaft is detachable from the biocompatible construction; and e) first and second arms connected with the rotatable shaft; the first and second arms supporting first and second cutters comprising one or more blades, wherein on rotation of the shaft, the blades are adapted to cut in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

33) The joint implant of claim 32; the biocompatible construction comprising first and second lateral sides connected with the anterior side and the surgeon facing side, wherein the biocompatible construction includes a length greater than a width.

34) The joint implant of claim 33, wherein: a) the rotatable shaft's diameter engaging the socket is less than the shaft's diameter proximate the bearing; b) the first and second gaps are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and c) the biocompatible construction's anterior side has a lesser cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the surgeon facing side.

35) The joint implant of claim 34 comprising one or more connectors connected to the surgeon facing side, wherein each connector is adapted to engage a device.

36) The joint implant of claim 35, wherein: a) the first and second arms comprise one or more sharp edges adapted to remove cartilage, expose subcortical bone and/or morselize graft material; and b) one or more surfaces of the biocompatible construction comprise surface treatments.

37) A joint implant comprising a biocompatible construction with a longitudinal axis spanning a longer dimension of the biocompatible construction; the biocompatible construction comprising: a) openings outward from the longitudinal axis; b) an anterior side comprising: i) a cutting edge; and ii) a socket; c) a surgeon facing side comprising a bearing; d) a rotatable shaft, extending along the longitudinal axis, engaging the socket and the bearing, wherein the rotatable shaft is detachable from the biocompatible construction through an ingress/egress pathway and the bearing of the surgeon facing side; and e) first and second arms connected with the rotatable shaft; the first and second arms supporting first and second cutters comprising one or more blades, wherein on rotation of the shaft, the blades are adapted to cut in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

38) The joint implant (100) of claim 37, wherein the bearing comprises first and second gaps creating a pathway for detaching the rotatable shaft from the biocompatible construction.

39) The joint implant of claim 38; the biocompatible construction comprising first and second lateral sides connected with the anterior side and the surgeon facing side, wherein the biocompatible construction includes a length greater than a width.

40) The joint implant of claim 39, wherein: a) the rotatable shaft's diameter engaging the socket is less than the shaft's diameter proximate the bearing; b) the first and second gaps are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and c) the biocompatible construction's anterior side has a lesser cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the surgeon facing side.

41) The joint implant 100 of claim 40 comprising one or more connectors connected to the surgeon facing side, wherein each connector is adapted to engage a device.

42) The joint implant of claim 41, wherein: a) the first and second arms comprise one or more sharp edges adapted to remove cartilage, expose subcortical bone and/or morselize graft material; and b) one or more surfaces of the biocompatible construction comprise surface treatments.

43) A joint implant comprising a biocompatible construction with a longitudinal axis spanning a longer dimension of the biocompatible construction; the biocompatible construction comprising: a) a first trapezoidal surface comprising a first aperture therein and a first two margins of equal length; b) a second trapezoidal surface opposed from the first trapezoidal surface; the second trapezoidal surface comprising a second aperture therein and a second two margins of equal length; c) an anterior side extending between the trapezoidal surfaces; the anterior side comprising a cutting edge and an orifice extending through the anterior side and the cutting edge; d) a surgeon facing side comprising a bearing; the surgeon facing side extending between the trapezoidal surfaces; and e) a rotatable shaft extending from the orifice into the bearing; the rotatable shaft comprising: i) a conduit extending through a length of the rotatable shaft; the conduit defined by an inward face of the rotatable shaft's cylindrical wall, wherein a combination of the orifice and conduit exposes the conduit to a surgically created cavity external from the conduit; ii) one or more windows, positioned on the cylindrical wall; each window exposing the conduit to the surgically created cavity external from the joint implant (100); and iii) first and second arms connected with the rotatable shaft; the first and second arms supporting first and second cutters comprising one or more blades, wherein on rotation of the shaft, the blades are adapted to cut in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

44) The joint implant of claim 43, wherein the biocompatible construction includes a length greater than a width.

45) The joint implant of claim 44 comprising one or more connectors connected to the surgeon facing side, wherein each connector is adapted to engage a device.

46) The joint implant of claim 45, wherein one or more surfaces of the biocompatible construction comprise surface treatments.

47) The joint implant of claim 46, wherein the first and second arms comprise one or more sharp edges adapted to remove cartilage, expose subcortical bone and/or morselize graft material.

48) A joint implant comprising a biocompatible construction with a longitudinal axis spanning a longer dimension of the biocompatible construction; the biocompatible construction comprising: a) openings outward from the longitudinal axis; b) an anterior side comprising a cutting edge and an orifice extending through the anterior side; c) a surgeon facing side comprising a bearing, wherein the anterior side has a lesser cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the surgeon facing side; and d) a rotatable shaft extending from the orifice into the bearing; the rotatable shaft comprising: i) a conduit extending through a length of the rotatable shaft; the conduit defined by an inward face of the rotatable shaft's cylindrical wall, wherein a combination of the orifice and conduit exposes the conduit to a surgically created cavity external from the conduit; ii) one or more windows, positioned on the cylindrical wall; each window exposing the conduit to the surgically created cavity external from the joint implant; and iii) first and second arms connected with the rotatable shaft; the first and second arms supporting first and second cutters comprising one or more blades, wherein on rotation of the shaft, the blades are adapted to cut in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

49) The joint implant of claim 48, wherein the biocompatible construction includes a length greater than a width.

50) The joint implant of claim 49 comprising one or more connectors connected to the surgeon facing side, wherein each connector is adapted to engage a device.

51) The joint implant of claim 50, wherein one or more surfaces of the biocompatible construction comprise surface treatments.

52) The joint implant of claim 51, wherein the first and second arms comprise one or more sharp edges adapted to remove cartilage, expose subcortical bone and/or morselize graft material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) where cutters (260F, 260S) extend beyond opening (110).

[0032] FIG. 2 is a top planar view of section B-B of FIG. 1, where cutters (260F, 260S) of implant (100) do not extend beyond opening (110).

[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) that includes barbs.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) that includes surface treatments.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective of another preferred embodiment of joint implant (100).

[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective of another preferred embodiment of joint implant (100).

[0037] FIG. 7 is a perspective of another preferred embodiment of joint implant (100) that includes surface treatments.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective of another preferred embodiment of joint implant (100) that includes surface treatments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the embodiments published herein merely exemplify the present invention. As used herein, with respect to the joint implant: 1) “anterior” of the joint implant means the side of the implant most distant from the surgeon and 2) “posterior or surgeon-facing side” of the joint implant means the side of the implant nearest the surgeon.

[0040] In the most general sense, the present invention is a joint arthrodesis system where an implant is surgically inserted into or across a joint space. The current implant can be useful for surgeries that can assist in stabilizing injured, deformed and or degenerative joints. Preferred embodiments of the current invention can be employed with ankle, cervical, hand, sacroiliac or other orthopaedic procedures. It appears that the present system is particularly useful for posterior cervical fusions and sacroiliac joint fusions. However, the current invention can also be used to fuse the tibia to the talus, the talus to the calcaneus, and metacarpals to the phalanges.

[0041] Preferred embodiments of the current joint implants can be manufactured of titanium alloys, stainless steel, resorbable polymers, non-resorbable polymers or any other composition acceptable in the art. Meeting a long felt but unfilled need in the orthopaedic surgical arts, the novel and unique structures of the present combinations allow the surgical team to, among other things, simplify previous procedures.

[0042] The present invention has a cutting edge and a rotatable cutter including one or more blades. The cutting edge of the implant's biocompatible composition is capable of dissecting through adipose, muscle and/or joint capsule tissues. The rotatable cutter of the implant is capable of cutting cartilage and bone and can be associated with the creation of the surgical cavity. Further, the rotatable cutter can morselize bone in preparation for fusion. The combination of the cutting edge(s) and rotatable cutter of the current joint implant meet long felt but unfilled needs in the orthopedic surgical arts: among other things, these novel and unique structures allow the surgeon to simplify the previous operating procedures utilized for posterior cervical, sacroiliac, and other joint fusions.

[0043] Devices that insert biocompatible, osteogenic and/or other substances into the interior volume of the implant can be used with the present invention. The current joint implant is also compatible with flexible drills, fiber optics, vacuums, one or more cannulas and one or more devices for inserting the joint implant. Combinations of one or more of the before identified ancillary devices and the current joint implant can assist with the creation and healing of the surgical wound.

[0044] Openings of the current joint implant increase the probability of the osteogenic materials and/or arthrodesis accelerating substances procuring a blood supply. And it is believed that increasing the blood supply to the osteogenic materials held by the joint implant or implant increases the probability of successful fusion. Introduction of osteogenic and other substances into the implant can hasten the healing of the surgical wound.

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of implant (100) is enabled. Implant (100) is provided with a biocompatible construction including a longitudinal axis X-X that can be measured in a coexisting or parallel direction of a longest dimension of the biocompatible construction. In selected preferred embodiments, when engineering parameters require, longitudinal axis X-X can be offset from center. Superior opening (110) and opposed inferior opening (not shown in FIG. 1) are positioned outward from implant's longitudinal axis X-X.

[0046] Implant (100) includes anterior side (102), posterior or surgeon facing side (104) and lateral sides (108B, 108D) extending between anterior side (102) and surgeon facing side (104). Anterior side (102) of implant (100) is provided with cutting edge (300) on the outward face of anterior side (102) and socket (330) on the inward face of anterior side (102). Surgeon facing side (104) is provided with a bearing (180) and at least one connector (390) adapted to engage an insertion device (400). In the FIGS. 1 and 2 preferred embodiment of implant (100), surgeon facing side (104) is provided with gaps (182F, 182S) creating pathway (190) through bearing (180) of posterior side (104).

[0047] As shown, rotatable shaft (240) extends along longitudinal axis X-X from anterior socket (330) through bearing (180). However, in other preferred embodiments, rotatable shaft (240) can contact bearing (180) without extending through bearing (180). Arms (262F, 262S) are connected to rotatable shaft (240) and support cutters (260F, 260S). Blades (268F, 268S) associated with cutters (260F, 260S) are adapted to cut when rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when shaft (240) is rotated. Sharp edges (264F, 264S) of arms (262F, 262S) can be adapted to remove cartilage, expose subcortical bone and/or morselize graft material. Tool (360) can be used to rotate shaft (240). In select preferred embodiments anterior side (102) is of lesser cross-sectional area than surgeon facing side (104).

[0048] Regarding the preferred embodiment of the current implant enabled in FIGS. 1 and 2, when surgical conditions require shaft (240) can be moved longitudinally along axis X-X and shaft (240) can be detached/reattached from socket (330). When medically required, rotation of shaft (240) positions arms (262F, 262S) such that shaft (240) can be detached from socket (330) and arms (262F, 262S) can be pulled through pathway (190).

[0049] With a view toward to FIGS. 1 and 2 and within the scope of the current invention, preferred embodiments of joint implant (100) can have a length greater than a width. In select preferred embodiments, the width of joint implant (100) is greater than the height of joint implant (100). In other preferred embodiments of joint implant (100), the height of implant (100) is greater than the width of joint implant (100). The inward sides of anterior side (102), posterior side (104) and lengthwise sides (108B and 108D) facing longitudinal axis X-X create an available inner volume of implant (100) which can receive osteogenic as well as other substances.

[0050] As measured along longitudinal axis X-X of implant's (100) biocompatible construction, preferred embodiments are provided with cutting edge (300) that can be up to about 3 millimeters in length. The length of implant (100), including cutting edge (300) can be from about 6 millimeters to about 50 millimeters. Cross-sectional widths of cutting edge (300) can range from about 2 millimeters.sup.2 to about 18 millimeters.sup.2. Cross-sectional widths of implant (100), other than cutting edge (300) can range from about 8 millimeters.sup.2 to about 45 millimeters.sup.2.

[0051] With respect to this application and in view FIGS. 1 and 2, the longitudinal axis of joint implant (100) is measured along axis X-X. Axis X-X can correspond with shaft (240) or in some preferred embodiments, shaft (240) can be offset from axis X-X. Width of implant (100) is measured along axis Y-Y or an axis parallel to axis Y-Y shown in FIG. 1. Height of joint implant is measured along axis Z-Z or an axis parallel to axis Z-Z of the joint implant's biocompatible construction.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) that includes barbs (280).

[0053] FIG. 4 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) that includes surface treatments (280).

[0054] Within the scope of the current invention, surface treatments (280) can include barbs, micropores or metal or abrasive particles incorporated into or onto the biocompatible composition.

[0055] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a preferred embodiment of implant (100) is enabled. Implant (100) is provided with a biocompatible construction including a longitudinal axis X-X that can be measured in a coexisting or parallel direction of a longest dimension of the biocompatible construction. In selected preferred embodiments, when engineering parameters require, longitudinal axis X-X can be offset from center.

[0056] Implant (100) is provided with first trapezoidal surface (450) and opposed trapezoidal surface (460). First trapezoidal surface (450) includes aperture (452) and two margins (454, 456) of equal length. Second trapezoidal surface (460) includes aperture (462) and two margins (464, 466) of equal length. Implant (100) also includes anterior side (102), posterior or surgeon facing side (104) and lateral sides (108B, 108D) extending between anterior side (102) and surgeon facing side (104). Anterior side (102) and surgeon facing side (104) extend between first trapezoidal surface (450) and second trapezoidal surface (460). Anterior side (102) of implant (100) is provided with cutting edge (300) on the outward face of anterior side (102).

[0057] Orifice (470) extends through cutting edge (300) and anterior side (102). Among other things, orifice (470) allows access of a guide wire (not shown in FIGS. 5-6) when medically required. Other preferred embodiments of the current invention do not include orifice (470). Surgeon facing side (104) is provided with a bearing (180) and at least one connector (390) adapted to engage an insertion device (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0058] As shown, rotatable shaft (240) extends along longitudinal axis X-X from orifice (470) into bearing (180). However, in other preferred embodiments, rotatable shaft (240) can contact bearing (180) and extend through bearing (180).

[0059] Rotatable shaft (240) includes conduit (242) extending through the length of shaft (240). Conduit (242) is defined by the inward face (246) of shaft's (240) cylindrical wall (244). One or more windows (248) are positioned in cylindrical wall (240). Each window (248) is adapted to expose conduit (242) the surgical created cavity external from joint implant (100). Conduit (242) can carry one or more substances that diffuse through windows (248) into the surround surgically created cavity (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0060] Arms (262F, 262S) are connected to rotatable shaft (240) and support cutters (260F, 260S). Blades (268F, 268S) associated with cutters (260F, 260S) are adapted to cut when rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when shaft (240) is rotated. Sharp edges (264F, 264S) of arms (262F, 262S) can be adapted to remove cartilage, expose subcortical bone and/or morselize graft material. Tool (360) as shown in FIG. 2 can be used to rotate shaft (240). In select preferred embodiments anterior side (102) is of lesser cross-sectional area than surgeon facing side (104).

[0061] With a view toward to FIGS. 5 and 6 and within the scope of the current invention, preferred embodiments of joint implant (100) can have a length greater than a width. In select preferred embodiments, the width of joint implant (100) is greater than the height of joint implant (100). In other preferred embodiments of joint implant (100), the height of implant (100) is greater than the width of joint implant (100). The inward sides of anterior side (102), posterior side (104) and margins (454, 456, 464, 466) facing longitudinal axis X-X create an available inner volume of implant (100) which can receive osteogenic as well as other substances.

[0062] As measured along longitudinal axis X-X of implant's (100) biocompatible construction, preferred embodiments are provided with cutting edge (300) that can be up to about 3 millimeters in length. The length of implant (100), including cutting edge (300) can be from about 6 millimeters to about 50 millimeters. Cross-sectional widths of cutting edge (300) can range from about 2 millimeters.sup.2 to about 18 millimeters.sup.2. Cross-sectional widths of implant (100), other than cutting edge (300) can range from about 8 millimeters.sup.2 to about 45 millimeters.sup.2.

[0063] With respect to this application and in view FIGS. 5 and 6, the longitudinal axis of joint implant (100) is measured along axis X-X. Axis X-X can correspond with shaft (240) or in some preferred embodiments, shaft (240) can be offset from axis X-X. Width of implant (100) is measured along axis Y-Y or an axis parallel to axis Y-Y shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Height of joint implant is measured along axis Z-Z or an axis parallel to axis Z-Z of the joint implant's biocompatible construction.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) that includes barbs (280).

[0065] FIG. 8 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) that includes surface treatments (280).

[0066] As previously indicated, within the scope of the current invention, surface treatments (280) can include barbs, micropores or metal or abrasive particles incorporated into or onto the biocompatible composition.

[0067] Select preferred embodiments of the current invention have been disclosed and enabled as required by Title 35 of the United States Code and/or the Articles of the Patent Cooperation Treaty.